Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2007-08: Harry Young made huge strides in his overall game in his third full OHL season, and second with the Spitfires. Not known for his offensive prowess, he suited up in all of Windsor's 68 games, scoring two goals and adding 12 assists. His 155 PIM's ranked him 12th in the league, and his +14 rating was a huge improvement from the -13 rating he posted in 2006-07. The Devils selected the tough as nails Young in the seventh round of the NHL draft.

2008-09: Despite missing six weeks early on in the season with a fractured foot, Young returned, providing steady defensive play, toughness and leadership on the blueline for the Spitfires. All of those qualities are what likely helped earn Young the role of captain on the eventual Memorial Cup Champions. In 46 games, Young posted quite an odd stat line: 8 goals and 4 assists. Considering he had scored only two career goals in his previous three seasons combined, the eight-goal outburst was definitely a bit of a surprise to Windsor, and probably to Young himself as well. More importantly, he posted 138 PIM's and a +27 rating. Had Young not missed time due to the injury, he likely would have cracked over 200 PIM's, and posted an even better plus/minus rating. In 20 playoff games, he recorded five points and 41 PIM's.

2009-10: Young returned to Captain the Memorial Cup Champs to another Memorial Cup, tallying nine goals and 20 points with Windsor to buff up his 153 PIM.

2010-11: Young proved to be the same no-nonsense, tough-to-play-against defender in his first year of pro hockey that he was in juniors as the captain of back-to-back Memorial Cup winners in Windsor. In 52 games with the Devils' AHL affiliate Albany (he missed time at the end of the season due to an appendectomy), Young scored 1 goal with 4 assists and was -5 with 142 PMs. Young also appeared in three ECHL games with the Trenton Devils and was +1 with 1 assist and 12 PMs.

2011-12: Young struggled to find AHL ice time with Albany in his second pro season on a deep blue line with both long-time AHL veterans and some high profile prospects. He appeared in just 11 AHL games and was minus-five with no points and 21 penalty minutes. Spending much of the season with the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings he scored 3 goals with 7 assists and was plus-nine with 55 penalty minutes in 32 games. Kalamazoo reached the Eastern Conference finals after finishing first in the North Division. Young had 2 assists and was plus-one with 29 penalty minutes in 14 playoff games.

2012-13: Young was moved to left wing by the Devils in his third pro season. He appeared in four games with New Jersey's AHL affiliate in Albany and spent most of the year in the ECHL with Kalamazoo. Young had no points and was -2 with 7 penalty minutes for Albany, which missed the AHL playoffs after finishing fourth in the Northeast Division. In 33 games for Kalamazoo he had 1 assist and was -4 with 52 penalty minutes. Young also played four ECHL games on loan to Trenton and was scoreless and +3 with one fighting major. He was re-signed by New Jersey to a one-year contract in February, 2013.

Talent Analysis

What you see is what you get with Young. He is steady, stay at home defenseman who is not afraid to drop the gloves and stand up for his teammates. He thrives playing a physical game, and is quite effective on the penalty-killing unit. While Young's puck skills leave much to be desired, that's not his game. He gives it 100% each and every shift.

Future

As more defense prospects continue to pile into the organization, less-talented players such as Young are going to find it increasingly more difficult to advance through the system. In his two years as a pro, he’s yet to establish himself as a full time AHL player. His high-character and intangibles unfortunately can only carry him so far.

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Photo: Keith Kinkaid has been one of the top goaltenders in the AHL this season. In 16 starts, Kinkaid has an 11-4-1 record, three shutouts, and a 2.09 goals against average. (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

While the New Jersey Devils are having a roller coaster season, their minor league affiliate, the Albany Devils, are the surprise team of the AHL. Part of the reason is the play from their rookie class, featuring some of the franchises top prospects, including Jon Merrill, Reid Boucher, and Stefan Matteau.

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Photo: Goaltender Scott Wedgewood is currently in his second full season of professional hockey. Wedgewood was selected in the third round of the 2010 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Icon SMI)

General Manager Lou Lamoriello has done a good job of restocking the lackluster New Jersey Devils farm system over the past six years. The junior and college ranks have produced talented prospects of all skill levels that fit the Devils mold. Now their minor league affiliate is reaping the benefits of this youth movement.

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Photo: After paying his dues in the AHL for several seasons, defenseman Alexander Urbom is on the cusp of becoming a NHL quality defender. (Bill Streicher/Icon SMI)

In terms of strengths and weaknesses, not much has changed for the New Jersey Devils organization. They continue to be well stocked on the blue line, which is good for the future because, aside from Adam Larsson and Mark Fayne, the majority of defensman in New Jersey are on the wrong-side of 30. In between the pipes, the Devils have finally started to plan for future and have a solid group of goaltending prospects. Upfront is a bit of a different story. There is some decent depth at wing and center, but in terms of top-six ability, there is not much to get excited about.